First
I was a freshman, so how was I to know he was everyone
else’s One? I followed him like a kitten
follows its mother, always excited and the mother
regrets that it had children, more than likely.
More than likely, he wondered who I thought
I was

Lonely
and scared of the people we called sacred. There was
the state champion, and then there was him who was faster than all the rest
and he came to talk to me; my team didn’t.  He came
and he told me I could go to State, and that
he would go to college in some faraway place, so
maybe he would see me there.
And

Now
he’s at Princeton, they told me.
All I can remember, really, is charisma, and his
eyes, that were so deep, and his smile that I thought
could push back a thousand angry men, and his silhouette
as he danced with a girl he chose
from all the girls at camp; it wasn’t me.
And they danced to Hallelujah and I wondered who
I am

Free.
He told me I was free, and I believed him; he was
my choice and not my freinds'. I only knew him for a week, and they told me
I shouldn’t know him, he was too good for me. But I
didn’t listen; and I don’t wish it was different, although
all I can do is name my pet tortoise Wolfgang,
and cry every time I hear
Hallelujah.